“Sour Times” by Portishead is characterized by dark, brooding sounds and melancholic melodies that gives the song its distinct feel, largely due to the specific chord progression that is used throughout the song. Written in the key of E major, the song makes use of a diverse selection of chords that offers a wider blend of harmonic options to navigate through different moods and tonal landscapes.
The song “It’s A Fire” by Portishead features complex harmonic structures, distinguished by a fusion of pop, rock, and elements of jazz harmonies. The band, known for their trip-hop style, employ chromatically richer harmony and non-diatonic chord progressions in this piece. The chord progression of ‘It’s A Fire’ is consistent with this approach as we see the frequent use of suspended and minor chords alongside major ones, which creates a sense of unresolved tension. Borrowed chords, usually taken from the parallel minor or major key, are also used frequently to add stylistic color to the harmony.
The song, “Sour Times” by Portishead, is in the key of C# minor. The chord progression of the chorus that you’ve provided swings between three chords (F#m7, Emaj7, D#7) four times before ending on a C#m chord. It suggests a II – I – VII progression in the chorus, which is rare and distinctive in contemporary music genres. This choice of chord progression creates a mysterious, dark, and contemplative mood, characteristic of the trip-hop genre that Portishead propounds.
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“Landslide” by The Smashing Pumpkins, originally by Fleetwood Mac, is written in the key of G major. The song features simple, but effective, chord progressions that are common in the folk and rock genres. The progression utilizes primary chords in the key (G, D, and C), along with some modal mixture via the borrowing of the minor iv chord (C) and minor vi chord (Am) from the parallel minor key (G minor). The secondary dominant D/F# creates tension and movement towards the Em chord. There is also the use of a G6 chord which adds color to the piece.
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This is a beautiful chorus from “Rocket Man,” a song by Elton John. The overall vibe of the song is nostalgic and melancholy, largely due to the combination of key changes, chord progression, and Elton John’s vocal melody. The song appears to be in the key of G major.
“Sour Times” by Portishead is characterized by dark, brooding sounds and melancholic melodies that gives the song its distinct feel, largely due to the specific chord progression that is used throughout the song. Written in the key of E major, the song makes use of a diverse selection of chords that offers a wider blend of harmonic options to navigate through different moods and tonal landscapes.
“Sour Times” by Portishead is largely written in the key of C# minor, with elements of modal interchange and chromaticism that contribute to its haunting, dark sound. The song exhibits a remarkable amount of harmonic complexity and non-diatonic harmony, which is a defining characteristic of the trip-hop genre. The piece makes use of intricate inversions and chromatic voice leading, along with a frequent use of sevenths and diminished chords for added tension.
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“Sour Times” by Portishead is a song with a complex and intriguing chord progression. It blends minor key tonality with modulations and chromaticism to give it a mysterious and brooding atmosphere. The song is primarily in the key of C# minor and features some borrowed chords and inversions that color the overall progression.
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The song, “Sour Times” by Portishead, is in the key of C# minor. The chord progression of the chorus that you’ve provided swings between three chords (F#m7, Emaj7, D#7) four times before ending on a C#m chord. It suggests a II – I – VII progression in the chorus, which is rare and distinctive in contemporary music genres. This choice of chord progression creates a mysterious, dark, and contemplative mood, characteristic of the trip-hop genre that Portishead propounds.
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